According to the publication, the creator economy is worth $100 billion today, and its top 50 names can be considered business leaders in this digital era.
Annually, Forbes releases the top-earning entrepreneurs, athletes, celebrities, and now—content creators. With the rise of the influencer industry, creators across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and other social platforms were rounded up to the top 50 highest-earning of them all.
According to the publication, the creator economy is worth $100 billion today, and its top names can be considered business leaders in this digital era.
Constantly entertaining
At the top spot is Jimmy Donaldson, more commonly known as Mr. Beast. With 162 million followers, the YouTube creator has amassed earnings worth $54 million in 2021, primarily from ads on his videos. The 24-year-old gathered a following from ambitious stunts like spending 50 hours buried alive and buying a private island in the Bahamas.
In second place is TikTok creator Charli D’Amelio, who makes $17.5 million through her Social Tourist clothing brand and various sponsorship deals (Invisalign, Morphe, and Dunkin Donuts). Social Tourist is a joint venture with Hollister and D’Amelio’s sister, Dixie, who ranks the 21st spot on the list. Dixie earned $10 million last year and began a music career.
Varying specialties
Ranking third is Alexandra Cooper, known as “Father Cooper” to her fans. The host of the sex-positive podcast “Call Her Daddy” (CHD) made $20 million last year. Initially, the show co-starred the 28-year-old’s former roommate Sofia Franklyn. Currently, CHD is the number one female-focused podcast on Spotify worldwide.
Other names on the list include viral meme-maker Elliot Tebele (FuckJerry) in 4th place, YouTube vlogger and coffee entrepreneur Emma Chamberlain raking in 5th, and beauty content creator Huda Kattan in 6th place.
Banner photo from @alexandracooper on Instagram.
